Nestable pallet

ABSTRACT

A nestable pallet includes a deck having an upper panel, a lower panel and a plurality of ribs extending perpendicularly from the upper panel to the lower panel. The upper panel further includes a plurality of openings for receiving feet of a similar pallet when nested. The lower panel further includes a plurality of feet extending downward from the deck, each foot having a cavity defined therein lined within one of the plurality of openings in the upper panel. Each cavity is configured to receive a foot from a similar pallet when nested therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a nestable pallet for storing or transporting goods.

[0002] Pallets are often to used to store and transport goods. The pallets maintain the goods at a distance above the floor such that they can be readily lifted and moved by a fork of a lift truck. Some pallets have stringers or double decks forming openings that receive the forks of the lift truck. Other pallets are nestable within one another to facilitate storage and transport when empty. Generally, nestable pallets typically have openings in their upper surface that receive corresponding shaped feet of a similar nestable pallet. Thus, the nestable pallets are easier to store and transport when empty. This design however may be weaker than a stringer or double deck pallet due to the design and placement of material in a nestable pallet.

[0003] Accordingly a pallet is desired which is able to achieve a desired pallet strength and load capability, while being nestable, and able to store and be transported in an efficient manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides the strength of box beam technology in a nestable pallet. Generally, the nestable pallet comprises a deck having an upper panel, a lower panel and a plurality of ribs extending between the panels to form box beam sections. The ribs may comprise upper rib sections extending from the upper panel that are aligned with and secured to lower rib sections extending from the lower panel. The lower panel also includes a plurality of feet each aligned with an opening through the upper panel and each having a cavity defined therein for receiving a foot from a similar pallet when nested.

[0005] The nestable pallet of the present invention provides the increased strength and durability of the box beam section in a nestable pallet. Thus, the inventive pallet has increased strength and durability in use and is also convenient to store and transport when empty.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0007]FIG. 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of a nestable pallet according to the present invention.

[0008]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a quarter section of the nestable pallet of FIG. 1.

[0009]FIG. 3a is a sectional view through the nestable pallet of FIG. 1 along line a-a.

[0010]FIG. 3b is a sectional view of the pallet of FIG. 1 along line b-b.

[0011]FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the pallet of FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the pallet of FIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the pallet of FIG. 1 nested with a similar pallet.

[0014]FIG. 7 is a sectional view along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

[0015]FIG. 8 is a top view of a second embodiment of the nestable pallet according to the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a section of the nestable pallet of FIG. 8.

[0017]FIG. 10a is a sectional view through the nestable pallet of FIG. 8 along line a-a.

[0018]FIG. 10b is a sectional view of the pallet of FIG. 8 along line b-b.

[0019]FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of the pallet of FIG. 8.

[0020]FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the pallet of FIG. 8.

[0021]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the pallet of FIG. 8 nested with a similar pallet.

[0022]FIG. 14 is a sectional view along the line 14-14 of FIG. 13 of the nested pallets.

[0023]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the nestable pallet of FIG. 8.

[0024]FIG. 16 is an exploded sectional view through a portion of a third embodiment of a nestable pallet according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] A top view of a nestable pallet 20 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the nestable pallet 20. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the nestable pallet 20 includes an upper deck section 21 comprising an upper panel 22 having a plurality of openings 24 aligned with feet 26 extending downwardly from the pallet 20. The upper panel 22 further includes molded slots and drain holes. A plurality of upper rib sections 28, including cross-ribbing, extend downwardly from the upper panel 22. At least some of the upper rib sections 28 extend between each adjacent pair of feet 26.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, the lower deck section 29 includes a lower panel 30 having a lip 32 about the periphery of the nestable pallet for mating with a similar lip 34 of upper panel 22. A plurality of lower rib sections 35, including cross-ribbing, extend upward from the lower panel 30 in general alignment with corresponding upper rib sections 28. Some of the upper and lower rib sections 28 a, 35 a are aligned with and disposed on four sides of each of the openings 24 in upper panel 22 to form a portion of each of the feet 26. Each of the upper ribs sections 28 is joined to a corresponding one of the lower rib sections 35, such as via hot plate welding, or other methods known in the art. The lip 34 in the upper panel 22 may be similarly joined to the lip 32 of the lower panel 30.

[0027]FIGS. 3a and 3 b are sectional views through lines a-a and b-b, respectively, of FIG. 1. As can be seen in FIGS. 3a and 3 b, the lower rib sections 35 extend upward, generally perpendicularly to lower panel 30. The lower rib sections 35 are aligned with and mated to the upper ribs sections 28 in upper panel 22. The lower rib sections 35, upper rib sections 28, upper panel 22 and lower panel 29 together form a box beam cross section.

[0028] Again referring to FIGS. 3a and 3 b, each of the feet 26 is tapered downwardly. In particular, each of the feet 26 includes an upper section 40, a middle section 42 and a lower section 44. Each of the sections 40, 42, 44 is concentric and decreasing in cross-sectional area with each succeeding downward section. The upper rib sections 28 a and lower rib sections 35 a form the upper section 40 of each of the feet 26 between upper panel 22 and lower panel 30. Load on upper panel 22 is thus transferred directly to each upper rib section 28 a, then to an abutting lower rib section 35 a, then to a middle section 42 of each foot 26 and then to each lower section 44 of each foot 26, thus increasing the strength of nestable pallet 20. Each opening 24 and foot 26 define a cavity 48 for receiving a corresponding foot 26 from another similar pallet 20.

[0029]FIGS. 4 and 5 show an end view and a side view of the nestable pallet of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the nestable pallet 20 of FIGS. 1-5, with a similar pallet 20′ nested therein, while FIG. 7 is a sectional view along lines 7-7 of FIG. 6. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the feet 26′ of the pallet 20′ nest within the feet 26 of the pallet 20, thus reducing the overall height of the empty pallets 20, 20′.

[0030] FIGS. 8-15 show a second embodiment of a nestable pallet 120 of the present invention. The nestable pallet 120 is generally similar to that shown in the previous Figures and will thus be described more briefly. To the extent not described below or shown in the drawings to be otherwise, the nestable pallet 120 has similar structure, features and operation to those described and shown above. Generally, structure in FIGS. 8-15 corresponding to structure in FIGS. 1-7 will be referenced with the same reference numeral with the numeral “1” prepended.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 8, the nestable pallet 120 includes an upper deck section 121 comprising an upper panel 122 having a plurality of openings 124 aligned with feet 126 extending downwardly from the pallet 120. In this embodiment, the pallet 120 includes molded handle openings 125 through the deck sections.

[0032]FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the upper deck section 121 and a corresponding lower deck section 129. The lower deck section 129 includes a lower panel 130 having a lip 132 about its periphery for mating with a similar lip 134 of upper panel 122. The upper rib sections 128 extend downward from the upper panel 122. A plurality of lower rib sections 135 extend upward from the lower panel 130 (some between each adjacent pair of feet 26) in general alignment with corresponding upper rib sections 128. Some of the upper and lower rib sections 128 a, 135 a are aligned with and disposed about each of the openings 124 in upper panel 122 to form a portion of each of the feet 126.

[0033]FIGS. 10a and 10 b are sectional views through lines a-a and b-b, respectively, of FIG. 9. As can be seen in FIGS. 10a and 10 b, each of the feet 126 is tapered downwardly constantly below the lower rib sections 135 a. Each opening 124 and corresponding foot 126 define a cavity 148 for receiving a corresponding foot 126 from another similar pallet 120.

[0034]FIGS. 11 and 12 show an end view and a side view of the nestable pallet of FIG. 8. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the nestable pallet 120 of FIGS. 1-5, with a similar pallet 120′ nested therein, while FIG. 14 is a sectional view along lines 14-14 of FIG. 13. Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the feet 126′ of the pallet 120′ nest within the feet 126 of the pallet 120, thus reducing the overall height of the empty pallets 120, 120′.

[0035]FIG. 16 is an exploded sectional view showing an alternate foot portion 226 in a third embodiment nestable pallet 220 of the present invention. In this pallet 220, the upper deck section 221 includes a downwardly projecting foot portion 227 extending from the upper panel 222 and aligned with the foot portion 226 of the lower deck section 229. The foot portion 227 of the upper deck section 221 includes upper rib sections 228 aligned with and mateable with lower rib sections extending upward from the foot portion 226 of the lower deck section 221 to define box sections therebetween.

[0036] The nestable pallets 20, 120, 220 of the present invention provide the increased strength and durability of the box beam section in a nestable pallet 20, 120, 220. Thus, the inventive pallet 20, 120, 220 has increased strength and durability in use and is also convenient to store and transport when empty.

[0037] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. There are many different configurations for plastic pallets and many variations in design, many of which would benefit from the present invention. For example, the upper and lower deck sections 21, 29, 121, 129 are preferably formed of polypropylene via an injection molding process, but of course can be formed of any type of plastic applicable for the desired use. The number and arrangement of openings 24, 125, 224 and feet 26, 126, 226, 227 may vary according to the size of the pallets 20, 120, 220 and the intended application for the pallets 20, 120, 220.

[0038] WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 

What is claimed is:
 1. A nestable pallet comprising: a lower deck section including a plurality of feet extending downwardly; an upper deck section including a plurality of openings for receiving feet of a similar pallet, each of the openings aligned with one of the plurality of feet in the lower deck section; and a plurality of ribs extending perpendicularly from the upper deck section to the lower deck section to form at least one box beam section.
 2. The nestable pallet of claim 1 wherein the feet comprise walls defining a cavity through the upper deck section and the lower deck section.
 3. The nestable pallet of claim 2 wherein the upper deck section and lower deck section form a plurality of box beam sections.
 4. The nestable pallet of claim 1 wherein the feet are generally tapered downward from the lower deck section.
 5. The nestable pallet of claim 4 wherein the feet are integrally molded with the lower deck section.
 6. The nestable pallet of claim 5 wherein each of the feet comprises a plurality of generally concentric sections with cross-sectional areas that decrease in each succeeding downward section.
 7. The nestable pallet of claim 6 wherein the nestable pallet is a first nestable pallet and further including a similar, second nestable pallet nested in the first nestable pallet, the feet of the second nestable pallet at least partially received within cavities defined by the feet of the first nestable pallet.
 8. The nestable pallet of claim 1 wherein the plurality of ribs extend from a first wall forming a portion of a first foot of the plurality of feet to a second wall forming a portion of a second foot of the plurality of feet.
 9. The nestable pallet of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of ribs extends between each adjacent pair of the plurality of feet.
 10. The nestable pallet of claim 9 wherein the feet comprise walls extending from an upper panel of the upper deck section to a lower panel of the lower deck section and downward from the lower panel and wherein the ribs extend between the walls of each adjacent pair of the plurality of feet.
 11. The nestable pallet of claim 1 wherein at least two of the plurality of ribs extend between each adjacent pair of the plurality of feet.
 12. A nestable pallet comprising: a deck including an upper panel, a lower panel and a plurality of ribs extending perpendicularly from the upper panel to the lower panel, the upper panel including a plurality of openings for receiving feet of a similar pallet; and a plurality of feet extending downward from the deck, each foot having a cavity defined therein aligned with one of the plurality of openings in the deck, each cavity configured to receive a foot from a similar pallet when nested therein.
 13. The nestable pallet of claim 12 wherein the feet are integrally molded with the lower panel.
 14. The nestable pallet of claim 13 wherein the feet are tapered downward.
 15. The nestable pallet of claim 14 wherein the nestable pallet is a first nestable pallet and further including a similar, second nestable pallet nested in the first nestable pallet, the feet of the second nestable pallet at least partially received within the cavities defined by the feet of the first nestable pallet.
 16. The nestable pallet of claim 12 wherein each of the plurality of ribs comprises an upper rib integrally molded with the upper panel and secured to a lower rib integrally molded with the lower panel.
 17. The nestable pallet of claim 12 wherein at least one of the plurality of ribs extends between each adjacent pair of the plurality of feet.
 18. The nestable pallet of claim 17 wherein the feet comprise walls extending from the upper panel to the lower panel and downward from the lower panel and wherein the ribs extend between the walls of each adjacent pair of the plurality of feet.
 19. A nestable pallet comprising: a deck including an upper panel, a lower panel and a plurality of ribs extending perpendicularly from the upper panel to the lower panel to form a box beam section; and a plurality of tapered feet extending downward from the deck, the pallet including a plurality of cavities extending through the deck and each of the feet, each cavity configured to receive a foot from a similar pallet when nested therein.
 20. The nestable pallet of claim 19 wherein the feet are integrally molded with the lower panel.
 21. The nestable pallet of claim 20 wherein the cavities are partially defined by openings in the upper panel and by the ribs extending from the upper panel to the lower panel adjacent the openings.
 22. A method for manufacturing a nestable pallet including the steps of: a) aligning a plurality of upper ribs extending downward from an upper panel with a plurality of lower ribs extending upward from a lower panel; b) aligning each of a plurality of feet extending downward from the lower panel with an opening in the upper panel; and c) securing the upper ribs to the lower ribs to form a box beam section with the upper panel, lower panel, upper ribs and lower ribs.
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein each opening in the upper panel is sized to at least partially receive a foot from a similar nestable pallet. 